Michael Hussey disappointed after collapse

The pitch was tough but Michael Hussey felt Australia under-performed in falling to a disappointing 127 on the opening day at the SCG. After winning the toss, the hosts tumbled to 7 for 62 and had to rely on 38 from Mitchell Johnson and Hussey's 28 to push them to three figures.

"We knew we were going to have to tough it out in the first couple of hours and we weren't able to do that," Hussey said. "They did bowl well, we must give them credit, but for myself, I was a bit disappointed with the way I got out after doing some hard work."

Hussey had played the most sensibly of the specialist batsmen before pulling at Asif and being caught off the top edge at first slip. It was an unnecessary mistake but Hussey wasn't the only one who messed up, with Ricky Ponting, Phillip Hughes and Brad Haddin also responsible for their exits.

"At the end of the day we are disappointed to be bowled out for 127," Hussey said. "Come tomorrow with a positive attitude, if we bowl patiently and with real discipline, we'll create enough chances to hopefully have the game on an even keel tomorrow night and then the toss is irrelevant."

Green tops have become rare in the modern game and the bowlers deserve to enjoy their days with assistance in the air and off the pitch. However, Hussey said the days could still be fun for batsmen.

"I really enjoyed the challenge," he said. "In some respects the pressure goes off the batsmen a little bit, the pressure is more on the bowlers, who are expected to get you out cheaply. It's really rewarding if you can get through the period on a tough pitch, it doesn't get any tougher than that as a batsman."

A major problem for the run-makers is they don't run into seaming surfaces very often and have to play from the memory of their club or county days. "We're generally well treated everywhere around the world with excellent batting conditions," Hussey said. "Sometimes in net practice in places around Australia and the world, you do get some spicy conditions, so you do practice a little bit. For me, growing up in Wanneroo [in Perth], plenty of our net sessions were like that. It takes you back to your youth a little bit."